Experts in maritime law, marine ecology, marine policy, social science and ecological economics led new research

Coastal cities are among the fastest growing population centres on the planet and half of the global population now lives within 100km of the coast.But as these often fast growing urban communities expand, their reliance on the seas – and the potential damage caused to them – is increasing.

One potential solution is to create a city marine park, connecting urban areas on the coast and their people with the reciprocal benefits the marine environment can offer.

Plymouth is currently going through this process with city officials having committed to designating the seas around Plymouth as the UK’s first National Marine Park.

Now researchers from the University of Plymouth, writing in Marine Policy, have detailed how other cities – in both developed and developing countries across the world – can follow in its footsteps.

“Whether you live in Melbourne, Mumbai, Miami or any other
coastal city in the world, the ocean can be an important factor in your life.
But it is vital for communities to deepen the connection and really focus on developing
a mutually beneficial relationship with the ocean for greater economic,
environmental, social and health benefits. We believe the city marine park
concept provides the means to do that, essentially providing a gift from the
city to itself in terms of securing a prosperous, healthy and sustainable
future for coastal cities.”

The study – which also involved researchers linked to the
Nautical Archaeology Society, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the University of
Exeter, the United Nations Environment Programme, Plymouth City Council,
Schumacher College and the University of Wales – highlights the key objectives
of creating city marine parks.

They address many of the aspirations set out in the United
Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and include: equality of access and
social inclusion; marine literacy and citizenship; business partnerships for
positive social and environmental impacts; celebration of marine and maritime
heritage; place identity, place-branding and civic pride; community health and
wellbeing; and joined-up inclusive stewardship.

Unlike other global initiatives such as Marine Protected
Areas, they would not seek to provide legal protection but instead focus on
encouraging and enabling people and organisations to better understand their local
seas and the positive impacts they can offer.

Professor of Marine Ecology Martin Attrill
has been a long-time advocate of the marine park idea, and is playing an
integral role in Plymouth’s current initiative. He added:

“We live in an era where the world’s seas have been heavily
impacted by human activity and remain under serious threat. But there is also
increased awareness and recognition that the global population has a crucial
role to play in safeguarding their future. Identifying ways for coastal cities
to benefit from the seas and vice versa is a hugely positive step, and city
marine parks can be a catalyst for real change in terms of the relationship
between the citizens of coastal cities and their marine surroundings.”

The full study – Pittman et al: Marine Parks for Coastal Cities: A concept
for enhanced community well-being, prosperity and sustainable city living –
is published in Marine Policy, doi: 10.1016/j.marpol.2019.02.012.